So the powers that be have made a crazy decision and decided to drop Kitesurfing and put Windsurfing RSX back in for Rio 2016.Really strange outcome after all the recommendations at the ISAF conference all week to keep kiting in. But hey, politics and money is something I will never understand? Not sure how they can reinstate a dying class that will be pumping around the course in Rio, not very enjoyable to watch and especially after the RSX class took ISAF to court costing them at least £35000 in legal fees. Still I'm not entirely sure Kitesurfing was ready for the Olympics anyhow?I do feel real sorry for all my friends who have now lost their Olympic dream especially Steph and Olly Bridge who were looking like being the first ever mother, son combo at an Olympic games.so lets look at the positives-

Even being selected for the Olympics has increased media attention and awareness that Kiteracing is a high performance sailing sport.

Every country now has some kind of kiteracing going on and sailing clubs have started to include kiteracing events all around the world

The kiteracing world tour can now go back to being run by the PKRA who were heading in the right direction and had some great events coming on board

It will now be left to people who are passionate about kitesurfing and do racing for the love and sportmanship rather than just for a job with no passion. This was something I didn't like at the IKA Worlds this year!

we have gained a lot of kitesurfers who have given it a try because of the Olympics. some of these may go back to RSX some may stay kiteracing, some freestyle and some may even wave ride ;)

We can now keep developing equipment, courses, race structure and most importantly a training network and clear pathway enabling the youth to get into kiteracing on our own terms.

By the time ISAF come begging for Kitesurfing to be included in 2020 to save sailing as an Olympic sport, we will have a set structure and can go in on our terms as kiters rather than changing to what they want as yachties.

I would like to thank everyone involved in this process especially Markus at the IKA. It's been a rollercoaster ride but i am positive that this outcome is the best for the sport and Kiteracing will only become stronger from it.If you are looking for kitesurf race coaching or just to get into kitesurfing then gp to my school in Cornwall- Pasty AdventuresCheersLee

RYA Ranker Event Weymouth 22-23 September 2012 The first RYA Olympic classes’ event to include Kitesurfing was run as a test event with no points counting towards ranking points. For the race committee and the riders it was the first time for everyone to test out courses and the new rules which come into play now that Kitesurfing is an Olympic sport. With 20 entrants in total we were the biggest fleet out of all the classes and included 4 women. At the briefing it was explained that the starts and courses would be changed throughout the day and that it would be run to standard ISAF rules including all the flags. With the wind blowing at around 15knts and due to increase over the weekend the first challenge for the riders was which 3 kits to register which we were not used to in the UK. Some made the wrong choice and chose to change anyway to make the most of the event in prep for the Worlds while the others learnt that you have to protest if you think someone is on a non registered kite. 3 races were run in the morning and another 3 after a quick break with the start line being changed slightly each time allowing the race crew to find out which works best to get the fleet away cleanly. The course was windward leeward with a spacer at the windward mark. One thing that we were not used to was the course being moved after each race to account for the 15 min 1st finisher target time and any wind changes. On the water the big surprise was how well Tom Squires and Sam Sills, former RSX Squad windsurfers were going as they were right up with the usual front runners of Olly Bridge, Callum Edge, Steph Bridge and me. During racing we had 5 ribs on the water which allowed us to take a break sitting on the boat and having a drink. During this time all of the RYA Crew were asking loads of questions and were super impressed by the standard of racing, our angles and speed on the water. After racing we met at the WPNSA for a debrief and talked about the courses, start lines and how we can make it better in October to finalise things for Sail for Gold in 2013. On Sunday with the wind blowing at 27 gusting 34knts racing was abandoned for all fleets and we had the prize giving. End results after Callum retired from 3rd due to ineligible kites were- Men- 1st Tom Squires, 2nd Olly Bridge, 3rd Lee Harvey Women- 1st Steph Bridge, 2nd Alice Shoulder, 3rd Izzy Hamilton The outcome from the event was extremely positive with the RYA and the riders learning valuable lessons before the upcoming Europeans & Worlds and we look forward to many more great Kite racing events being run in at the Olympic venue in Weymouth. Thanks Lee ‘Pasty’Harvey Sponsored by- North, Ion, Freeriders, Pasty Adventures For Kitesurf Coaching and Lessons visit my school www.pastyadventures.co.uk

Last weekend saw the Edge cup hosted by 4 times World Champ- Steph Bridge. After mostly finishing 3rd, I ended up 4th being beaten by Callum by 0.3 points after he bagged an equal 2nd and got took out in the last race which gave him average points meaning he beat be even though i beat him in 7 out of 11 races. Jammy git!the report from Edge is below-

On the friday, Steph and me ran a Race Coaching clinic which was attended by the RYA and 9 of their development squad along with 3 other kitesurfers who are keen to get into kite racing. With around 25knts of breeze we covered the basics of getting into kite racing, including gust management, rules, footwork, upwind/downwind sailing and mark rounding. All learnt lots and I think the RYA were suitably impressed. Lots more to come so stayed tuned for Race Coaching dates at www.pastyadventures.co.uk and www.edgewatersports.com

June 23rd and 24th saw the 3rd running of the Edge Race Cup, now established as the premier kitesurf racing event in the UK. The record entry of over 40 kiteracers came expecting great kitesurfing conditions and were not disappointed! Amongst the entries were organiser Steph Bridge 4 times Kiterace World Champion and previous UK National Champions Denzil Williams from Cornwall and Callum Edge from Weymouth. The weekend also saw many 1st time racers get down to Exmouth seafront and join the action.The action began on the Friday with a race clinic run by Lee Harvey and Steph Bridge- 12 kiters joined and learnt up and down wind techniques, directional board footwork, stance, kite position and race strategy. The day also saw the Royal Yachting Association in attendance to learn more about kitesurfing prior to its inclusion at the Olympics in Rio for 2016.Saturday dawned with a good force 5 south westerly wind blowing and an out going tide resulting in challenging sea conditions ensuring the race board fleet were sent out on the water first. 3 races were run in quick succession with fantastic fast racing with the Exmouth Duo of Steph Bridge and her eldest son Oliver Bridge setting the tone for the weekend and dominating the fleet. Oliver Showed amazing speed and control in the rough conditions and came away with 3 first places in the morning session.Then it was time for the amateurs and ladies fleets to get into the action. Stand out performances were seen from Murray Smith from Dartmouth and Mathew Causen from Bristol as well as local teenager Alice shoulder in the ladies fleet. After a brief lunch break the course was moved further out to sea and both pros and amateurs were sent out at the same time. The sea conditions were now a little kinder and it was time to set both fleets off at the same time. It was impressive to see forty racers all starting at the same time and some great racing continued. In the ladies local rider Bel Bailey really came to the party winning a number of races and beating all the amateur men in 2 races but with Alice shoulder right on her tail the overall result was looking very tight. In the men's amateur fleet local doctor Tom Debenham was on fire getting some great results followed closely by another local James Bainbridge. In the pros there was no stopping Olly Bridge with 2 more race wins abruptly ended with a disqualification in the last race for starting too soon. Other pros with good results that afternoon were Callum Edge, Lee Pasty, Denzil Williams and Steve Stubbs, All they had to do was work out how to beat Olly!The Saturday night party was hosted by the River Exe Cafe and despite the rain everyone had a great time with excellent food and wine provided by our sponsor pebblebed wines.The Sunday dawned with light winds and the pro's were sent out to do battle, in these very difficult conditions only 1 race was run won by Steph Bridge proving that experience counts when the going gets tricky. The afternoon gave much better wind and slacker tides so everyone was back on it for the final deciding races. In the ladies fleet it was a battle down to the wire between Alice Shoulder and Bel Bailey, both were super powered and gunning for the win just coming out on top by 2 points was Alice in her first ever race event! In the amateur fleet it was down to a 3 horse race with Murray Smith just edging out Debenham with Bainbridge third.The Race board class continued to be dominated by fourteen year old Olly Bridge winning nine races out of eleven, an amazing performance, second was Steph and third Callum Edge.It was a great weekend of racing and enjoyed by all participants, roll on 2013.

This years Pasty Cup in Mounts Bay, Cornwall is being combined with coaching from BKSA coach Lee Harvey and will also involve interested parties who will be checking out how we go and learning about safety as well as making a video.The plan is to have coaching on saturday morning followed by 3 races for the Pasty Cup saturday afternoon and another 3 races sunday morning followed by long distance training after lunch.This event is open to everyone who has raced before and wants to improve with coaching and also have some quality racing! Due to outgoing costs this will only run if enough people book in so please send your details asap to lee@pastyadventures.co.uk Price is £50 which will simply cover the boat costs.we will meet at Marazion on Saturday 4th August at 9am. more details will be sent once you are registered.Lets show everyone that Kitesurfing is ready and the right board sport for Rio 2016!!!!

Thats it we are Olympic! now all the hard work starts but hopefully we will now be able to get funding? to get involved, have lessons or train with me check out my school www.pastyadventures.co.ukbelow is the official statement from the ISAF council meeting-The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has confirmed the final event and equipment selections for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.The ISAF Council voted that Kiteboarding will replace windsurfing for the men's and women's board events and confirmed the equipment that will be used for the Women's Skiff and Mixed Multihull Events.

The Mackay FX, referred to as the 49er FX, was selected yesterday as the two person women's skiff and today the Nacra 17 joins the Olympic equipment family after being selected for the two person mixed multihull event.

The 49er FX received the majority of votes from the ISAF Council in the first round after the six evaluation trial entries were narrowed down to just three; the 29erXX, the RS900 and the 49er FX.

There was an equally animated debate on the final morning of the Council meeting at this year's ISAF Mid-Year Meeting to decide the equipment to be selected for the mixed multihull event. After discussing the recommendations from the Evaluation Panel, the Equipment Committee and the Events Committee, Council voted between the Nacra 17 and the Viper with the Nacra 17 securing the majority.

The final discussion on the events and equipment for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition was about the men's and women's board events with Council voting in favour or kiteboarding.

In November 2011 an evaluation group was appointed to examine kiteboarding formats with the board events for Rio 2016 defined as 'windsurfing and/or kiteboarding'. The Evaluation Group recommended that kiteboarding be included in the ISAF Event family including the ISAF Sailing World Cup and the ISAF Sailing World Championships but Council went one step further and selected Kiteboarding for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition as well.

The ISAF Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Committee will consider and make further recommendations to Council on the implementation of the inclusion of kiteboarding at their meeting in November 2012 at the ISAF Annual Conference.

ISAF President Göran Petersson said, "These announcements mark a new era for sailing and we welcome the new classes into the ISAF family. The equipment selections have fulfilled the criteria set out by the Evaluation Panel and we look forward to seeing the boats not only at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but the ISAF Sailing World Cup and ISAF Sailing World Championships.

"Kiteboarding has proven to us that it is ready to be included into the list of prestigious ISAF Events and it is a fantastic addition to the sailing programme for the 2016 Olympic Games."

These ten events will be featured in the 2012-2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup which kicks off in Melbourne in December and will come together in Santander, Spain in 2014 for the ISAF Sailing World Championships.

ISAF Council also approved applications from Kosovo (Group C) and Vietnam (Group K) for full member status.